Growing up, I have always had such a love/hate relationship with my red hair. It took me almost 18 years to realize that my red hair wasn't a curse, it was a blessing. For my entire life I always heard stupid jokes about "gingers not having souls" and constantly being asked if the "carpets matched the drapes". I always got asked if I’m going to reproduce with another redhead or if my parents have red hair. I was told I was “pretty for a redhead”.

For my entire life I have been the butt end of all jokes. I was constantly asked if I had been adopted because the rest of my family has blonde or brunette hair. My sisters actually convinced me for a while that I was adopted, but my mom laid those rumors to rest very quickly. Growing up with a family of people who don't have red hair isn't easy. For our family vacations, my sisters would always use tanning oil. I would have to go out and buy SPF 100 and make sure to reapply it constantly, so I didn't get burnt. My parents used to dress me up as Annie for Halloween, and when we would go around to different houses, everyone always believed my hair was a wig. I have very vivid memories of people always touching my hair. Up until I hit elementary school I rocked "ginger fro".

Throughout middle school I had very frizzy, unmanageable hair. For a long time I went to different hair salons and asked if they could dye my hair, because I wanted to change it up. Everywhere I went turned me down, and now looking back, I am thankful for that. It wasn't until my senior year of high school that I started to love my fiery locks, and started to flaunt them with pride. I couldn't imagine not being a redhead, it's what makes me unique. My red hair taught me to be comfortable with myself, because I am beautiful. My red hair is my best feature, along with my freckles.

After high school, I met many different redheads. I follow many redhead Twitter accounts, and I have made some lifelong friends. Being a redhead isn't just having red hair. When you have red hair, you are apart of community.

Being a redhead isn't easy, and a lot of people don't understand why. You go through your entire life not looking like your peers, you get called mean names, and you constantly get picked on. Luckily, I was able to look past the hateful comments. I was able to become someone who was comfortable with themselves. I was able to become proud of my red hair, and I wouldn't want it any other way.